Foundations of Yoga Therapy Reference form

Please click here to read about the EYT program on our website before filling out this reference form. It may help you assess the candidate’s natural gifts for serving as a professional yoga therapist. Please be as specific as you can, giving examples that illustrate your observations. Because this is a national training program and we cannot conduct in-person interviews with most candidates, it is particularly important that you provide a full and candid assessment of this candidate. Please complete your form by August 30, 2025. Applications will not be reviewed until letters of reference are received. Thank you for your help.

Your name

First Name

Last Name

Applicant's name

First Name

Last Name

Your Title and/or Affiliation to Applicant:

How long, how well and in what settings have you known the applicant?

What eight to ten adjectives would you use to describe this person? (Please include neutral or even negative as well as positive adjectives if that is what comes to mind.)

Please describe what you know of the candidate’s yoga practice and teaching experience including your sense of his/her level of commitment and maturity. Is he or she committed to regular yoga practice and education?

Evaluate the candidate’s emotional maturity, capacity for serious self- reflection and honest self-assessment. How does s/he handle instructive criticism?

Comment on the applicant’s interpersonal skills.

Please consider, in particular the applicant’s: * ability to set another at ease and create an open and trusting environment * capacity for empathy * ability to participate in a spiritual community * ability to be vulnerable, non-judgmental, honest, generous, and supportive of others * ability to share limited “air time” in group discussions.

How would you describe this candidate’s best gifts as they apply to providing yoga therapy to others?

How would you describe this candidate’s “growing edges” (the places where human and spiritual growth might be needed?

Most importantly, would you feel comfortable recommending this person as a yoga therapist to others (assuming that he or she receives formal training)? What reservations might you have? What would you see as this person’s strengths as a yoga therapist?

Is there anything further that it would be helpful for us to know about this candidate?